Protocolo del manejo fisioterapéutico de atención domiciliaria para el adulto mayor con trastornos musculoesqueléticos del tren inferior

Abstract

Lower limb musculoskeletal disorders are problems that affect the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves of the legs, feet, and hips. Hip and knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joint cartilage of the hip and knee, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Cartilage acts as a natural cushion between the bones, and when it wears away, the bones can rub against each other, causing pain and inflammation. The purpose of this project is implementing a physiotherapy management protocol for home care to elderly patients with lower limb musculoskeletal disorders. By assessing muscle strength, pain, and functionality in elderly patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis receiving home care, physiotherapy management was applied for this population, and a management guide was developed. Twenty elderly patients ranging in age from 65 to 90 years from the Ciudadela Hospitalaria of Atahualpa participated, all of whom completed the protocol for 12 weeks with a frequency of 2 sessions per week. The results of this research show that the home care physiotherapy management protocol significantly improved functionality and reduced pain in elderly patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. The implementation of this protocol is recommended in other contexts and similar populations, as well as conducting long-term studies to evaluate its effectiveness on the quality of life and emotional well-being of elderly patients. Additionally, it is suggested to develop digital tools and to train healthcare professionals in home care physiotherapy management and the implementation of care protocols to improve the quality of life of elderly patients with lower limb musculoskeletal disorders.